Art Book Stores

The Rowan Morrison online art bookstore has been totally redesigned and updated. You can now search by product category, or browse our entire selection (even titles only available in the Oakland shop) alphabetically. I've added a whole gaggle of new books, created a shop policy and FAQ page, a mission statement, and hopefully made the whole online browsing experience easier and more informative. Take a look and let me know what you think. I suggest buying one copy of every book to see if there are any bugs.

Speaking of art book purveyors, yesterday I happened to stumble into the greatest art bookstore of all time, 871 Fine Arts Bookstore. It's on the 2nd floor of 49 Geary (where all them galleries is at) in downtown San Francisco, and I can't believe I did not know about this place until now. They have thousands of titles of all types of art books and artists, all in easily browse-able sections. They specialize in out-of-prints books and have a stunning collection show catalogs. Plus, just about any current title you would find in a museum bookstore is there. They also house a very clean gallery and poster collection (which is being exhibited in July).

Many of the titles are collectible and are priced as such, but you will never find such an amazing selection of art books for sale in one place. Adrienne Fish, the owner, knows her inventory and has gathered all these titles herself, so if you are looking for something specific, give them a visit. Definitely make it part of your SF Gallery Crawl agenda.

Fortunately for Rowan Morrison bookstore, most of the younger, self-published (aka "hipster street-low-brow-whatever") art publications are not featured in the bountiful shelves of 871, and they also steer clear of anything comic related or zine-esque. They also don't have a website yet.

To recap: if you are looking for the latest self-published John Copeland Journals catalog, check out the new Rowan Morrison online bookstore... if you are looking for a catalog of David Park's figurative work, mosey into 871 Fine Art's Bookstore in SF.

Sorry I don't have any photos to go with this entry. Today is my birthday.

Raymond Pettibon: the Books 1978-98

Raymond Pettibon's real name is Raymond Ginn, younger brother of Greg Ginn, founder and guitarist of the monumentally influential punk group Black Flag. His father called him "Petit Bonne" ("Little" and "Good" in French), a moniker he would completely assume after graduating from UCLA with a degree in economics at the age of 19.

Pettibon, much to his dismay, will likely always be associated with the early 80s punk scene, thanks in no small part to the utilization of his artwork for countless flyers, album covers, and logos for the Southern California bands of that era. For many (myself included), Pettibon's monochromatic ink drawings forever interlocked with 80s American punk rock.

It wasn't until the mid-1990s that Pettibon's artwork began to get wider acclaim in the contemporary art community after his participation in the controversial 1992 Helter Skelter exhibition at the MOCA in LA and his major solo exhibitions in New York and LA in 1995. Pettibon received the prestigious Bucksbaum Award concurrent with his participation in the the 2004 Whitney Biennial. He is fast becoming known as a pioneer of contemporary figurative art and one of the most important artists of the past 50 years.

In 1978, during his brief career teaching mathematics in LA high schools, Pettibon self-published Captive Chains, a collection of 64 drawings. While not thematically (and certainly not narratively) bound together, the artwork still presented the cohesive "Pettibon style" and content he continues to express today: High contrast pen and ink drawings with small pieces of narration (often borrowed from traditional texts). Darkness, hopelessness, and criminal horrors pervade the works. The comparisons to film noir are unavoidable.

1981's follow-up, Tripping Corpse 1, featured 14 black and white drawings on colored paper and 10 pages of mimeographed text: the Psychedelic Translation of Allen Ginsberg's Howl. On the first page of this book Pettibon prints "Why is Pettibon, who's been associated with punk up until now, doing a magazine like this? In one word, money. M-O-N-E-Y. You see there are more hippies than punks. Indeed, marijuana is the biggest cash crop in California, my home state, and as we all know, hippies like to look at drawings while they hallucinate."
Despite the sarcastic nature of this proclamation, these books and their unsparing displays of a counterculture's self-deception (particularly that of the 1960s hippies) were aimed at an older and entirely new audience from his punk contemporaries.

Tripping Corpse, and the following 44 publications made in the next four years were distributed by SST (Greg Ginn's record label and distribution company (did you know SST stands for Solid State Transistors)), and anywhere from 50 to 500 copies were made of each. In the late 1980s about 400 copies of most issues were destroyed, making many of these original books extremely valuable.

In 1988, Pettibon assumed distribution of future titles (of which there are of 60) under various business names such as Superflux, Illiterati Press, and MDA Publishers. The books, which normally would feature 18 one-side-printed illustrations and a cover and cost 2 dollars, were printed in numbered editions of 75 or less.

Pettibon's work easily lends itself to book form. While specific themes are apparent in some books, like the Tripping Corpse 1-12, most of the publications are little more than random assemblies of unrelated drawings bracketed together with a title. It is a testament to the overall cohesiveness of his lifetime body of work that much, if not all, of his art can be successfully grouped together.

Which brings us to this monster: Raymond Pettibon: the Books 1978-98, an 800+ page hardcover featuring works from all 111 self-published books, 32 of which are reprinted in their entiretey. 2 of the books have never before published, and their is a huge introductory essay about the significance of these publications. This book is zine-sized (5.5" x 8.5") and about half as thick as it is tall. It was originally printed in a German language edition in Cologne, and then printed in a very limited quantity in English by D.A.P. (Distributed Arts Publishing) in 2000. Unopened copies of this book sell in the $800 range. Used copies sell in the $250 range. The original photocopies publications themselves fetch several thousand each.

Rowan Morrison currently has two of Pettibon's books for sale:

The Pages Which Contain Truth Are Blank
$26.00 plus shipping

Raymond Pettibon (Phaidon)
$39.95 plus shipping
This book contains a full-color reproduction of the mimeographed Psychedelic Translation of Allen Ginsberg's Howl from Tripping Corpse 1, which isn't featured in the Books 1978-98!

Just click on the image of the bookcover to purchase with Paypal. Supply is limited so only quantities of one of each title per order. International shipping in an addition $6.00 per book.

Junk Pirate #15

I started Junk Pirate zine by basically just making photocopies of some of the more interesting images I would encounter at my job at an anonymous Oakland junk store. Rather than (or in addition to) hoarding all the original pieces, I would make photocopies on the administrator's office copier after work. In May of 2004, I compiled all these random bits (yearbook photos, game boards, children's book illustrations, vintage valentine's day cards, other people photos) into an 18-page zine, ran off about 30 copies after work, and gave 'em to my friends and co-workers.

The second issue soon followed, then the third, and within a few months developed a keen eye for finding the weird, nostalgic, tragic, ironic, and visually compelling imagery from the stacks of donations that constantly flooded the business. I made themed issues (other people's photos, the yearbook issue), step up the production to about 100 copies of each issue, and, after breaking the office copier, even legitimately paid for printing over at Copy Edge in Berkeley (2¢ black and whites!). A few online shops and zine stores (like Needles & Pens) started to carry it regularly, and around issue #8, Last Gasp in San Francisco started to distribute 'em around the globe.

Last year the greatest images of issues #1-12 were reprinted, along with extra tidbits, in one large volume: Junk Pirate volume one. The book is 170-pages, offset print with found endpapers, perfect bound, 100% recycled paper, soy-inks, made entirely in Oakland.
Someday soon I'll post a blog about my adventures in self-publishing, but in the meanwhile just know that in the Bay Area, 1984 Printing is the place to go for black and white offset printing and binding. They rule.

The book was released in December of 2006 to coincide with the reception for the spectacular Junk Pirate art Exhibition. This exhibit featured frames, shelves, and installations of several years worth of collected junk. There were a dozen Miss Scarlet cards from Clue, 78 Kool-Aid points, about 20 different video game controllers, lots of other people's photos, the evolution of Luke Skywalker action figures, Rambo vs. a Giant Ape illustrations, game cards, 200 different dice, and so much more. It was blogged about on FecalFace.com here. Lots of other images here.

Issue # 15 of Junk Pirate was recently completed and released. It features Russian children's workbook, instructions on how to make a police dog shadow puppet, "How the Mouse Trap Works" diagram, rowboat turning illustrations, Intellivision, "the most sensuous recordings ever made!", Star Wars grammar workbook, Rambo Black Flak bubble gum, El Borracho, magic tricks, Dreamers Doodle Pad for Men, photo comic panels, 1967 Panel of Judges, "When I Begin To Date" pamphlet, "Know Your USA" book cover, G.I.Joe from 1982, and a personal letter from President Richard M. Nixon! Plus about a hundred other things.
Full black and white, 18 pages, edition of 100.

Here is a color-stenciled promo flyer for issue #15. And for your viewing pleasure, I present "The Making of Junk Pirate #15" video. It's only 2 minutes long and you'll never wonder how such an amazing product is produced ever again.

Remember to check for Junk Pirate news, back issues, and color images at junkpirate.com!

Junk Pirate #15 is available through Last Gasp, fine zine shops nationwide, or you can own it now by ordering direct for only $1.00 per copy plus .75¢ shipping. Cheaper than a sack of nuts.

Hitten Switches

In spite of the Oakland branch of the Post Office we recently got this package from Fudge Factory Comics head-honcho Travis Millard. Awww yeah, it's a fat stack of Hitten Switches, plus some bonus postcards and a satchel of stickers. The first round of this book we got from Travis back in December was swooped up before I even got a chance to stash away a copy for the personal archives... a mistake I don't plan on repeating.

Hitten Switches is a collaborative book featuring the drawings of pen pals Travis Millard in California and Michael Sieben in Texas. It was created when Travis and Sieben started working on a zine by sending uncompleted drawings back and forth through the mail. About 18 months later (in 2006), with some generous help from Volcom, this book was released with an international series of art shows.

The book comes sealed in a full-color printed envelope. So now you're faced with every fanboy's toughest choice, to keep it sealed forever in mint condition or tear that sucker open and enjoy the sweet fruits that lie within. Buy two and have it both ways.


What is really excellent about this publication is that the artists truly collaborated on each page, not just on the overall project. These are single drawings made by two artists. The similar styles, subject matter, and sense of humor shared by both Millard and Sieben make this book pretty seamless. Then add in the various notes, postcards, and arty envelopes to the mix and you're holding a winner.

The fact that Hitten Switches is printed with two colors, black and red, makes it pretty bold and puts it a big step above your typical black and white zine-esque art book. It's also bigger than small (but smaller than big) at 9"x 6" and about 40 or so pages. I also appreciate that it costs straight-up 20 bucks, none of this $19.95 shit.

Both artists are currently on tour with the Volcomics art shows. You can visit their websites at: msieben.com and fudgefactorycomics.com. Some other Travis Millard mini-books (super limited and signed by the artist!) are available from Rowan Morrison by clicking these links:

hello.
Comin' Around
Right Wing Conservatives Getting Racked v.1 & v.2

You can purchase (with paypal) a copy of Hitten Switches of your very own for the low price of $20 plus $5.50 for priority mail with tracking shipping (trust me, you want tracking when dealing with the Oakland USPS) by clicking the button. International shipping is more so send me us an email if you live outside the USA and we'll work it out. Free Fudge Factory stickers with every order!

Cursiv

The latest chapter of this book-bloggin' Choe-a-thon is Cursiv: Giant Robot presents a book of dirty drawings by David Choe. Published in conjunction with the inaugural exhibition at GR2 in Los Angeles, Cursiv is a black and white book that focuses more on Dave's drawings. Like Bruised Fruit, this book also features a lot of hand-written commentary on the artwork, which gives insights to the artistic process and history to go with each page.

Many of the drawings are the "bones and skeletons" before Dave applies the "skin, muscles, and make-up" of paint. It is nice to see the original sketches, all of which look pretty spontaneous and expressive, of such popular paintings as the Korean Brothers and other recognizable pieces. The book also has a lot of images of drawings that would later find homes as posters, T-shirt designs, and printed illustrations. You may even recognize a few bits that ended up in other incarnations within the Bruised Fruit and Slow Jams books.

While lacking the amazing narrative of Slow Jams and the diversity of artwork of Bruised Fruit, Cursiv is a nice addition to the Choe catalog and an essential element of his overall catalog. It is rare to get to see the process of the creation of a body of work, which is such an important part of being an artist, so it is nice to have an accessible collection of drawings together in one publication. While David Choe might be well-known for his fuck-all antics and his no-holds-barred attitude, this book demonstrates that behind the character there lies a phenomenally talented and truly creative draftsman.

Oh yeah, and there are lots of pictures of naked ladies and curse words, too.

Cursiv is currently the only Dave Choe book in print and is quite affordable at only 12 bucks. You can get your copy right now from Rowan Morrison by clicking this button:
International orders: please email us shipping options.
Uh-oh... looks like we have sold out again, and, even worse, it may finally be out-of-print (I saw a copy sell for $45 bucks on ebay). Please check the Rowan Morrison online bookstore for updates or send me an email at info@rowanmorrison.com. Thanks.

Bruised Fruit

Bruised Fruit has much of what I love in an art book: A diversity of artwork that covers many years, notes on the images from the artist, black and white as well as color pictures, personal photos and anecdotes mixed in, photos illustrating the "under paintings" of finished works, and bits of other artist's work thoughtfully thrown in. All this plus it is 100% self-published and was extremely affordable at just 20 bucks.

Slow Jams (see previous blog entry) helped launch David Choe into a larger strata of the art world. He started to get solo gallery shows, mural commissions, work on movie sets, and magazine cover illustrations. He gained 20 pounds (forcing him out of the category of "starving artist") and legitimately added a couple of zeros onto the prices of his original work. This essentially priced his art out of range for many of his fans. Bruised Fruit gave the world a deep dose of Choe for an affordable price. It also spotlighted the diversity of Dave's work and the depth of thought (or sometimes lack of) behind his art.

This book covers a lot of ground. It has straight up watercolors, portrait oil paintings illustration work that was previously only printed in black and white, samples of Dave's, abstract aerosol art that then turned into figurative oil paintings, and menu illustrations. Lots of photos of his handmade gorilla figurines, as well as other character toys and the drawings that inspired them. There are detailed pencil drawing from the sketchbook, some rare computer generated Choe art (uggh), mural photos from 5 Color Cowboy salon in San Jose and some restaurant, lots of adventure vacation video stills, dirty collages, and lots of refined paintings and illustrations.

The best part is that almost every image is accompanied by Dave's personal back story, anecdotes, opinions, and insider information. It makes the book very autobiographical as well as visual.

The book is bisected by a story by Dave called "Yoffee Toffee" about his adventures traveling in Gaza. Illustrated with photos and sketches, Dave's gift of storytelling comes blazing through here. I still don't know if the story is real or made-up, and neither situation would be a surprise. Re-reading this story makes me hope that Dave's tale of his time in a Tokyo prison (the greatest orally related story I have ever heard in my life) comes out some day in book form. I heard once that Barron Storey was illustrating that tale... I wonder what happened to that project.

Bruised Fruit predates the current flurry of biographical art books being published, and perhaps even inspired many artists to look towards art books as a legitimate presentation of their creative vision. Long since out-of-print, you can still find this book on eBay for about 40 bucks, and I suggest you place your bid now before collectors put "the book that was made to offer Dave Choe's art at an affordable price" is no longer affordable.

This is an image of the book cover and a flyer from the West Coast Book Release & Signing Tour in March of 2002.